Did you know that there are just over 2.5 million podcasts available online? Only 17% of them are active, having posted an episode in the previous 45 days.
The odd thing is that it’s estimated that just 10% of the 17% will still be active in the next year! That also applies to all the legendary, well-known podcasts that have been around for a while.
The truth is that it’s challenging to become a successful podcast in this ever-growing creative industry.
Even if new podcast episodes are released every day, the number of active podcasts has strangely stopped growing. But why is this?
There are five main reasons why podcasts fail. In this article, we’ll go through all of them so you can gain a better understanding of how you can overcome them if you plan on starting your own podcast in the near future.
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1. Not Having Purpose
This, in our opinion, is the main reason why podcasts fail.
There are a few things that happen frequently that could prevent you from having a compelling purpose. First, it’s possible that you wish to try something new.
Currently, podcasting is thought of as stylish and trendy. A lot of people who start podcasts are only considering becoming podcast hosts and are not actually committed to it.
They give up as a result after realizing how much work podcasting entails.
It happens very infrequently for someone to say, “I want to test this out and see how it goes,” and then follow through. There truly isn’t a solid reason for them to stay, so they lack a purpose.
The podcast may also not succeed because it is not focused enough.
Some of these people still don’t specialize enough, according to our research. They start off with the mindset of “I’ll do a podcast for everyone.”
The fact is, if something is for everyone, it really isn’t since nobody is exactly the same.
As podcasters, we must constantly keep in mind that we must find that particular niche where we can benefit while also giving our listeners something interesting.
A good content marketing strategy is to focus on a specific, narrow topic and stick with it. If the podcast tries to cover too many topics at once, it will be hard for listeners to follow and remember.
2. Having Unrealistic Profit Expectations
The fact that many hosts have exaggerated notions of how much money or influence they can make is another factor in why most podcasts fail.
A successful podcast requires time. Some people think they’ll leave their jobs and work as creators full-time in the next six months.
First of all, it is incredibly uncommon to be a full-time creative in any industry, including podcasting, YouTube, blogging, and social networking.
Almost everyone who succeeds in these industries has something to sell. They are more than just full-time artists.
They also think they can find a reliable sponsor or advertiser who will pay them well. But unfortunately, the reality is that doing so is quite difficult.
Let’s say you did a great job of niching down your podcast. In that situation, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a sizable enough audience to earn a lot of money from sponsors or advertisers.
You will need a unique good or service that you can provide to your target market.
3. Giving Up
Low download numbers and a disinterested audience cause the majority of podcasters to give up. These two outcomes frequently give individuals the impression that they should end their podcast.
The fact is that you could give up when you’re on the edge of a breakthrough, and then you’ll never know if you’ll be successful.
Nothing is easy, especially when it comes to creating content, so you have to stick to it if you want any chance of success.
If you keep it fun and are passionate about what you’re creating, then you should keep pushing. You should focus on the content itself, accomplishing a podcast episode at a time, not the numbers.
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4. Podcasting Alone
Another reason why a podcast might fail is that most podcasters decide to go it alone. Being a creator is a tough road, so having someone to help and contribute makes all the difference.
Many podcasters don’t seek out the community and live in their own world. This is fine sometimes, but collaboration is a key aspect of successful podcasting.
Bringing guests onto your show even from other podcasts and communicating with them well can really boost your podcast’s popularity.
Furthermore, not everyone has the charisma to engage an audience alone.
Having regular guests or starting a podcast with a friend will ensure that the podcast is always interesting, especially if they have good chemistry.
Having someone to play off of can make or break a podcast.
5. Being Unable To Keep Up
The last reason podcasts fail is because a podcast host just can’t keep up with the workload. Fortunately, this is the easiest obstacle to get past.
There are a few reasons why people get overwhelmed by the work that comes with so many podcasts Firstly, it’s down to disorganization.
Unfortunately, you can’t just rely on your memory when it comes to mapping out your episodes and all the technical information you need to know.
Too many people try to do this when it could easily be fixed by simply picking up a pen and writing down everything you need to do.
Furthermore, trying to take on the entire workload without delegation can also result in podcast fails wherein podcasters not being able to cope with pressure.
Again, this is why it’s important to get others to help you and not do things alone. Something as simple as a virtual assistant can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
It is difficult to get started with podcasts, but there are a few simple things you can do to ensure successful podcasts. If you’re thinking of starting your own podcast, keep these points in mind:
- Spend time understanding the purpose of your podcast and finding the right niche that will engage you and your audience.
- Don’t focus on money or fame; you are providing a service that should be fun for everyone, and the more you think about profit and influence, the less likely you are to get it.
- Don’t give up, especially after just a few episodes, even when you feel like stopping. Let your purpose drive you.
- Don’t podcast alone. Connect with other creators and consider podcasting with a friend or regular guests.
- Use the tools available to you to simplify the process so you don’t get overwhelmed.
The most important thing to remember is to believe in yourself! Anyone can be successful at podcasting, as long as they put their minds to it.
